From this ground at regu-
lar intervals rise large trees whose trunks
generally assume a serpentine form. The
flowers of various kinds and large leaves
growing from the trunks are designed with
great boldness. Birds are frequently scat-
tered among the branches, which intertwine
so as to cover the whole upper part of the
hanging. It is probable that none of these
hangings are earlier than the middle of the
seventeenth century, and the greater part
belong to the latter half of that century.*
They are sometimes in sombre colours, green
being predominant. Occasionally a piece is
found worked entirely in shades of red.
In the later years of the century, large
numbers of embroideries were produced in
England chiefly small panels and articles
of costume worked only in yellow silk. The
designs are usually floral, the linen ground
being quilted in small diaper patterns. A
ground quilted in this way is sometimes worked
with sprays of flowers in bright colours.
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